Have had a couple of trips up north recently, both of which have been great!

First was York in April - my friend from work, Dawn and I met our friend and old colleague, Sue, in York as a half way point as Sue has moved to Edinburgh. It has been ages since we saw each other and had a wonderful weekend.

Dawn and I got to York late Friday afternoon, and after we finally found our B&B (about an hour or so after we first arrived in York), we got out and had a little walk along the city walls and by the river. Sue arrived later that evening.

On the Saturday we ventured over to Castle Howard - a very grand, private residence in the countryside. It is enormous and where both versions of Brideshead Revisited were filmed. Stunning location and moody skies made me a happy photographer! Sunday morning saw us walking into the old town, having a mooch around the Shambles and York Minster and then a cream tea at Betty's (the little one, which is less 'commercial' than the bigger more touristy one).

The second trip was to Cumbria to visit friends Tony & Andrea. I always enjoy a visit there and this time Tony and I enjoyed a fairly decent walk every day - nearby Potts Valley, a bit of the Pennine Way at Tan Hill (in Yorkshire) and the local old railway nature reserve, Smargill. Was so good to see wide open space, breathe in fresh air and listen to the lambs and sheep. So many views of nothing but fells, sheep and dry stone walls!

As always there are new photos: 1) spring visits to the north and 2) Spring/Summer 2012.